Jamal Mashburn, Jonathan Sackett Teaming Up To Open New Chicago-Based Ad Agency

Former NBAer Jamal Mashburn is "teaming up with" former Ogilvy & Mather Managing Dir of Content Strategy Jonathan Sackett to "open a new advertising agency in Chicago," according to Suzanne Vranica of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The duo hopes to "take advantage of marketers’ growing interest in smaller agencies that can more nimbly respond to changes underway in the media landscape, such as the rise of social media." Sackett believes that having "a high profile name on the door will improve the agency’s access to potential clients." Mashburn will be chair of the new agency, and explains "how his business experience has taught him about marketing." He owns "several car dealerships and an interest in several restaurant franchises including 38 Outback Steakhouse restaurants and 40 Papa John’s pizza restaurants." Mashburn: "I will not be the guy pitching the creative concept. I am more of an operations person. My role will be oversight of the agency, administrative and building relationships. I have relationships and access to companies and people in the technology space, the food industry and car business" (WSJ.com, 3/23).